Luminara of San Ranieri

General information

Duration	Destination	Departure
3 days and 2 nights	Italy (Pisa)	Italy (Pisa)

Description

Experience this exciting festivity to admire a nighttime Pisa lit by as many as 100,000 sparklers and jaw-dropping fireworks of every color and shape!

From 15 to 17 June, enjoy these days!

The month of June for the city of Pisa is synonymous with activities, concerts and events that give the entire community great fervor. The Feast of San Ranieri is one of the long-awaited festivities, if not the one par excellence, that June brings us. City festival that takes place on the evening of June 16, the eve of the patron saint, San Ranieri.

History has it that on March 25, 1688, the urn containing the body of Ranieri degli Scaccieri, the city's patron saint who died in sanctity in 1161, was solemnly placed in the chapel of Pisa Cathedral, named after the Crowned Virgin Mary. Cosimo III de' Medici had in fact wanted the ancient urn containing the relic to be replaced with a more modern and sumptuous one.

The translation of the urn was the occasion for a memorable city festival, from which, according to tradition, began the three-yearly illumination of Pisa, which was first called Illumination and then, in the nineteenth century, Luminara.

The first historical document attesting to the tradition of the luminara dates back to 1337. Festival abolished and then revived on several occasions.

How it takes place:

Every year about 100,000 candle lights in Pisan slang lampanini are placed on wooden frames called linens that go into the architectural shapes of churches, palaces and towers along the Lungarni.

After the lighting and thanks to the switching off of public and private lighting, the effect of these lights offers a unique suggestion.

All the buildings and streets are illuminated by the lights of these lampanini alone.

To make the evening even more special are the fireworks shot off, around eleven-thirty, from the Citadel and from some floating platforms placed on the Arno River, creating with the flames of the lampanini placed on the Lungarni a unique setting. The entire duration of the fireworks is accompanied by classical music and the historical narrative of the festival.

Program

Day 1:
Arrive independently in the city of Pisa in the early afternoon and settle into your hotel. You will have a chance to start discovering on your own the historical, architectural and artistic wonders this city has to offer. It is a true open-air museum. All this while waiting for the real star festivity of this weekend: the Luminara di San Ranieri, which takes place on the evening of June 16, the eve of the patron saint.

Why "Luminara?" History has it that on March 25, 1688, the urn containing the body of Ranieri degli Scaccieri, Patron Saint of the city, who died in sanctity in 1161, was solemnly placed in the chapel of Pisa Cathedral, named after the Crowned Virgin Mary. Cosimo III de' Medici had in fact wanted the ancient urn containing the relic to be replaced with a more modern and sumptuous one. The translation of the urn was the occasion for a memorable city festival, from which, according to tradition, began the three-yearly illumination of Pisa, which was first called Illumination and then, in the nineteenth century, Luminara.

The wait will be worth it, we assure you! In the evening, dinner in a typical restaurant and overnight stay.

Day 2:
It's San Ranieri!
After breakfast at the hotel, a 2-hour guided tour of the city's jewels awaits you: the 4 monumental giants of Piazza dei Miracoli. This one certainly needs no introduction...the Campanile, better known as the Leaning Tower that stands 57 meters tall, is undoubtedly the symbol of Pisa.
Guided tour of the entire square and entrance to the Monumental Cemetery and Cathedral, in which interiors will truly leave you breathless. The guide will leave you for lunchtime at one of the local restaurants, so you can delight your palates in anticipation of the light show that awaits you. From 3 p.m., the lighting of the candles on the Lungarni between the Cittadella Bridge and the Fortezza Bridge will begin. At dusk, the turning off of public and private artificial lighting will immerse the Lungarni in the magical evening of San Ranieri, creating a unique suggestion.

Every year about 100,000 lanterns, in Pisan slang lampanini, are placed on wooden frames called linens that go to draw the architectural shapes of churches, palaces and towers along the Lungarni. Making the evening even more special are the fireworks shot off, around 11:30 p.m., from the Citadel and from a number of floating platforms placed on the Arno River, creating with the flames of the lampanini placed on the Lungarni a unique setting The river contributes to the evocative spectacle by reflecting the beautiful illumination on its water surface, boosting the luministic effect of the whole. The entire duration of the fireworks is accompanied by classical music and the historical narrative of the festival.
Free dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3:
Breakfast, check-out and departure to your home.

€ 300,00 per person

Price includes

2 nights' accommodation with breakfast included
Guided tour of an half day in Piazza dei Miracoli
Entry ticket to the Cathedral and to the Monumental Cemetery
1 dinner and 1 lunch in a restaurant